Waleed Gaines Jr, - Prep Redzone

Waleed Gaines Jr

Defensive Back

2025 Class

5'11" Height

165 Weight

Mustang School

State Rank
Position Rank

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About Waleed

Waleed Gaines Jr is a 5'11" Defensive Back in the 2025 class. Gaines Jr attends Mustang in Oklahoma. Gaines Jr's Player Profile was created on October 14, 2022. Subscribe to Prep Redzone to see where Waleed Gaines Jr is ranked and what our scouts have written about them.

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Expert Analysis

Michael Knight

Prep Redzone Lead Scout

We mentioned earlier in the preview that the strength of this Mustang defense would come in the secondary and that begins with the return of senior Waleed Gaines Jr Waleed Gaines Jr 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Mustang | 2025 State OK . at the cornerback position. Gaines is going to be a three-year starter at the cornerback position and for a player to start at the 6A-1 level at corner, you know Gaines can absolutely play. Gaines has been a player that we’ve talked about in the state’s 2025 class for a while now. And this offseason, his recruitment took off and he earned his first offers and it shouldn’t slow down anytime soon. Gaines is a terrific corner in man to man situations. He’s done a great job over the last few seasons.

2 years ago

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Michael Knight

Prep Redzone Lead Scout

Mustang cornerback Waleed Gaines Jr Waleed Gaines Jr 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Mustang | 2025 State OK . has been a 2025 prospect that we’ve liked for a long time. First off, Gaines really impressed us during his sophomore season when he played at a high level against other top 6A-1 competition. The Broncos trust Gaines to dominate his side of the field and lock down the opponent’s top wide receiver. Gaines has continued to improve his game over the last 18 months and when you look at him now, you see a prospect that has started to get the attention of college coaches with a handful of offers. Gaines is going to go into the 2024 season as one of the top cover corners in 6A-1 football and that’s a big platform for him to perform.

2 years ago

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Michael Knight

Prep Redzone Lead Scout

Shortly after the ranking update came out for the state’s 2025 class, we had instant regrets for Waleed Gaines Jr Waleed Gaines Jr 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Mustang | 2025 State OK . and his spot within them. After the rankings, Gaines picked up his first D1 offer and we instantly thought he should be higher up. Gaines has shown that he has that ability to be a lockdown corner and he’s proven it against some of the best competition in the state. With his first offer now in the books, college coaches are starting to buy into that thought process as well. We’re looking forward to seeing more of Gaines this spring and summer and that first offer could be just the start for him when it comes to playing at the next level.

2 years ago

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Michael Knight

Prep Redzone Lead Scout

As we mentioned with Meadows, we really like the talent that Mustang brings back on the defensive side of the ball. And despite losing an All American in Jacobe Johnson, we really like some of the players they have returning in the secondary. Leading that group is 2025 cornerback Waleed Gaines, who in our opinion is one of the top cover corners in Class 6A-1. And when we got a chance to see the Broncos in person last season, one thing that really stands out is his ability to make tackles in the open field. That’s an underrated quality for cornerbacks in today’s game. Odds are you aren’t going to be able to shut down every receiver so you have to make tackles and Gaines does a really good job of that after the catch.

3 years ago

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Michael Knight

Prep Redzone Lead Scout

Another 6A-1 product that we’re keeping an eye on is Mustang standout Waleed Gaines Jr Waleed Gaines Jr 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Mustang | 2025 State OK at the cornerback position. Mustang loses a massive name with All American Jacobe Johnson graduating but we actually like some of the pieces that they bring back in that secondary and Gaines is near the top of the list. He really impressed us with his film and when we caught him in person last season. The in person evaluation was very simple. Gaines does a great job in the open field of tackling and bringing the ball carrier down. The film shows that he also has the ability to step up and do a variety of things in pass coverage. Whether he’s pressing the wide receiver in man coverage or he drops back and roams a zone, Gaines does a very good job of protecting his side of the field.

3 years ago

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Michael Knight

Prep Redzone Lead Scout

Out of the five prospects on this breakdown, Mustang 2025 defensive back Waleed Gaines Jr Waleed Gaines Jr 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Mustang | 2025 State OK . was the only one that we also saw in person last season. He impressed despite his team losing in district play to Union. And then we put on his film from his sophomore season and continued to be impressed with him as a legitimate prospect at the cornerback position. Gaines had really strong film and what was really impressive was the opponents he made plays against. It wasn’t just clip after clip against the bottom half of Mustang’s schedule. It showcased his abilities against some of their tougher opponents, featuring some really good quarterbacks and skill players. Gaines was good in multiple positions and coverages. Whether he was lined up against the outside receiver or slot receiver, he was productive. Whether he was in man to man coverage or in zone, he was productive. One thing that impressed us last season and that jumped off the film was his ability to hit and tackle in the open field.

3 years ago

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Michael Knight

Prep Redzone Lead Scout

Mustang sophomore Waleed Gaines Jr Waleed Gaines Jr 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Mustang | 2025 State OK was one of the best defensive backs that we saw in 2022 when it came to making a tackle in the open field in a 1 on 1 situation. As we mentioned during the season, a lot of times we see defensive backs wanting to lay a big hit and they don’t bother wrapping up after contact. That isn’t the case with Gaines. We’re looking forward to seeing more of Gaines moving forward because the Broncos have to replace an All American in Jacobe Johnson Jacobe Johnson 6'4" | DB Mustang | 2023 State OK at cornerback. Without knowing for sure, we believe that Gaines will step into his role in 2023 and be tasked with covering the other team’s best receiver. We’re looking forward to seeing how he responds to the challenge but he’s definitely a name to keep an eye on when this season rolls around.

3 years ago

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Michael Knight

Prep Redzone Lead Scout

Another newcomer to this recent ranking update in the state’s 2025 class is Mustang defensive back Waleed Gaines Jr Waleed Gaines Jr 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Mustang | 2025 State OK . This prospect is not only a newcomer, but he’s one on the rise. Similar to Cunningham at Jenks, Gaines is going to be a name to watch moving forward at the cornerback position. We checked him out in person earlier this season when the Broncos fell to Union at home. Despite the loss, Gaines was one of the top standouts on the defensive side of the ball for Mustang. Gaines doesn’t do what some young defensive backs do when trying to make a tackle. Gaines will actually wrap up and bring the ball carrier to the ground and not just go for a big hit. We didn’t know much about Gaines coming into that game against Union and he’s definitely on our radar for the 2025 class moving forward. He’s one of the best tacklers in the 2025 DB group that we’ve watched.

4 years ago

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Michael Knight

Prep Redzone Lead Scout

There weren’t many highlights for the Mustang defense, but one of the top defensive players that stood out throughout the night was sophomore cornerback Waleed Gaines Jr Waleed Gaines Jr 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Mustang | 2025 State OK . The sophomore corner was really impressive in the open field making tackles. It was a tough night for the defense as they gave up over 500 yards of offense but you can see that Gaines has the tools to be one of the better up and coming defensive backs in the 2025 class. Gaines doesn’t do what some young defensive backs do when trying to make a tackle. Gaines will actually wrap up and bring the ball carrier to the ground and not just go for a big hit. We didn’t know much about Gaines coming into the game against Union and he’s definitely on our radar for the 2025 class moving forward.